ATHLETICS Criticism Of Snell “Not Justified"

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 19

ATHLETICS Criticism Of Snell “Not Justified"

(Special Correspondent NX.P.A.) LONDON, December 5. Criticisms of the New Zealand runner, P. G. Snell, for not taking a more active part in the Empire Games mile are not justified, says Christopher Brasher in a message from Perth to the “Scotsman.” Brasher won the Melbourne Olympic 3000 metres steeplechase.

“Critics say Snell has done irreparable damage to his stature as one of the greatest milers of all time. I don't agree with them. “Snell is going through an unsettling period. He already holds both the half-mile and the mile world records, and he knows there is no-one in the world who can challenge him at these distances. So his incentive to train has largely disappeared. “This together with a leg injury earlier this year has made it hard for him to get really fit And he has been even more unsettled in his private life.

“A few months ago he became engaged and he wants to get married in July of next year. Yet he sees little prospect of being able to support a family until he has passed his examinations to qualify as a quantity surveyor. “This he does not feel he can do until he gives up athletics and concentrates on his work. It was rather astounding that while he was in Perth competing for New Zealand his pay was stopped at home.

“Wien criticising a great runner it was only too easy to forget he was an amateur who has grave economic problems. It is not surprising, therefore, that so many of them take under the counter payments from promoters, as the only way of being able to carry on. “But this Snell has never done. Instead he searched for a job In Perth hoping to find some way out of his dilemma.”